Motion picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus



LA VERN E. THOMAS July 23, 1935.

MOTION PICTURE PROJECTING AND SOUND REPRODUCING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 1, 1931 July 23, 1935. LA VERN E. THOMAS MOTION PICTURE PROJECTING AND SOUND REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Jun@ l, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 23, 1935 UNITE STATES aooassi Morton' morons PRGJECTNG ND SOUND REPRODUC'ING APPARATUS Application June l, H331, Serial No. 541,338

23 Claims.

This invention relates to motion picture apparatus, and relates more particularly to a motion picture projecting and sound reproducing set or mechanism for producing sound, music, and speech in conjunction with the projection of motion pictures. It is a general object of the present invention to provide a simple, practical, and improved means for handling the nlm in apparatus of the character just referred to.

The present invention is concerned primarily with the handling of sound lm or motion picture lm where the sound record is photo'- graphed on a nlm strip. In the production of sound film, the picture records and sound records are iirst photographed simultaneously on separate strips of nlm. At the trial showing of the pictures in the studio and at theatre previews, the two individual strips of film are handled separately in the projector and sound reproducer which are properly synchronized. After the trial or preview runs, sections or parts may be cut from the films, and the completed or theatre sound films are printed, each bearing both the picture records and the sound records. The theatre sound film carries the picture records in a longitudinal series of frames or picture areas, and the sound record or sound track along one of its edges, which consists of minute spaced lines of varying densities. The usual picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus employed in theatres are designed to handle only the completed or theatre sound film bearing both the picture records and the sound records. While special projecting and sound reproducing equipment has been developed for handling the picture lm and sound film separately, the standard theatre apparatus must be materially modified to handle the individual lm strips in the event it is desired to preview the picture. Further, the special sound and projection equipment must be materiallyaltered to handle the completed theatre film bearing both the picture records and the sound records.

An object of the present invention is to provide a motion picture projector and sound reproducer set capable of handling both the picture or cinematographic records and sound records on a single nlm strip or on individual iilm strips.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an attachment capable of application to a typical theatre projecting and sound reproducing set that adapts the set for handling the picture records and sound recordson individual lm strips, as well as on the theatre sound nlm bearing both the picture records and sound records. y v

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the character mentioned that may be easily and quickly installed on the projecting and soundreproducing apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the character mentioned that does not in any manner interfere with the construction or operation ci the common or standlo ard equipment for handling the theatre sound picture nlm bearing both the picture and sound records.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the character mentioned that 15 is simple and inexpensive of manufacture and that is positive and dependable in its operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character mentioned in which the nlm may be easily and quickly threaded or arranged for the proper synchronous production of the pictures and sound.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the character mentioned that includes means for mounting 'and operating a receiving reel for receiving the picture nlm from the projector and means for carrying a supply reel for the sound lm so that, when the separate or individual film strips are used, the picture film is taken up or reeled up before passing through the sound reproducing mechanism, while the sound film is fed through the sound reproducing mechanism in the proper synchronism with the picture film without passing through the projector.

Other objects and features of the invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the principal parts of a typical projector and sound reproducing set with portions of the case broken away to show the internal mechanism and illustrating the attachment provided by the present invention mounted thereon. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the reel mounting and operating means embodied in the present invention, being a view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a spring-carrying ring, being a View taken substantially as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side elevation or edge elevation of the ring illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical detailed vside elevation of a typical projector showing the normal path of the film having both pictures and sound effects thereon. Y

The present invention is capable of embodiment in attachments for use on various types of equipment, as well as embodiment in the equipment or apparatus as initially manufactured. Throughout the following detailed disclosure, the invention will be described embodied in the form of an attachment for application to a standard or typical theatre sound film projecting and reproducing apparatus. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be taken as limited or restricted to the specific form or application about to be described, but that it is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

In order to .facilitate a clear understanding of the invention, I will proceed with a more or less general descriptionmf the typical picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus illustrated in the drawings.. VThe typical projector and sound reproducing set illustrated in the' drawings includes, generally, a projector head I0, and a base II carrying the'sound reproducing mechanism.

The projector head Il) includes a case i2 for containing the mechanism of -the projector and a film magazine I3 mounted on the upper end of the case for carrying the lm to be handled or- A film gate Id isrun through the projector. mounted in the rear of the case I2, and a light shutter I5 is mounted at the rear of the case I2..

for controlling the passage of light through the gate It. The film is adapted to pass downwardly into the case I2 from the magazine I3, and suitable guide rolls I6 are provided within the case I2 for handling the lm. In accordance with the standard practice, an intermittently rotated feed sprocket Il is provided in the case I2 below the gate I to draw or feed the film through the gate M. Spaced rolls I8 are provided to maintain the film in proper co-operation with the intermittently operated feed sprocket l'i. A control or synchronizing sprocket I 9 is provided within the case l2 at a point spaced below the intermittent feed sprocket I'. Thesprocket I9 is continuously rotated at a speed bearing. a denite relationship to the speed of the intermittent movement of the feed sprocket Il and is provided to ensure the continuous passage of the film into the sound base i l. In practice, a slack or loop portion is provided in the film between the sprockets Il and I9 to permit the sprocket l@ to continuously advance the film. Sets or pairs 2@ and 2i of spaced rollers'are mounted at the diametricallyY opposite sides of the control sprocket I9 to ensure the proper engagement of the film with the sprocket. When handling the theater sound nlm PS bearing both the picture and sound records, the nlm is passed downwardly from the sprocket I3 into the sound reproducing base ii as shown in Fig.

The sound reproducing apparatus includes the case or base I I upon which the projector head iii is mounted and which contains the reproducing mechanism. A light gate and film guide or chute 22 is provided within the base I I to pass the nlm downwardly. A guide pr chute 23 is provided to receive the film after its passage through the case II, and a receiving reel 24 takes or reels up the film after its passage through the guide 23. An exciting lamp 25 is mounted Within the base II for passing light through a lens tube 26 and through the film at the gate 22. A photo-electric cell 21 is provided in front of the gate 22 to be acted upon by the light passing through the film to control the amplifiers, sound reproducing devices, etc. Numerous controls, and the like, are provided on the sound reproducing mechanism; however, the present invention is'not primarily concerned with the operation or adjustment of the sound reproducing mechanism, anda descrip- V tion` of its controls is believed unnecessary. The apparatus thus far described is typical equipment for handling the usual theatre sound film, that is, a film strip carrying both the picture records and sound records such as PS shown in Fig. 7. The theatre sound film is moved downwardly through the gate I4 by the intermittent sprocket I1 so that the light is projected through its pictures or frames. After leaving the intermittently operated sprocket I1, the lm passes over the continuously rotating control sprocket I9 which provides for its constant movement downwardly through the gate 22 of the sound reproducing mechanism where the light projected through its sound track controls the operation ofthe photoelectric cell 2l. In order to properly synchronize the projected pictures and the sound, the picture records or frames and the sound records must bear a definite relationship to one another on the film. In practice, the sound records are spaced from II to I3 picture frames or picture areas ahead of the picture records so that a sound record, taken simultaneously with a given picture record, will pass through the gate 22 at the same time or approximately simultaneously with the passage of the said picture through the gate I6. It will be apparent that the apparatus just described is not adapted to or capable of handling-individual or separate picture film and sound lm and that it would require considerable 'alteration and modification to adapt it for such operation.

'Ihe device or attachment provided by the present invention is adapted to be mounted ori the projector head I@ for converting the sound picture apparatus for handling separate sound and picture films and includes, generally, a plate 28 to form the front plateA of the head case I2, a housing 29 carried by the plate 28, means 3d for mounting and rotating a receiving reel 3| 'for receiving or reeling up the picture film P after it has passed through the projector head ID, means 32 for guiding the picture `lm P from the control sprocket I9 to the receiving reel 3i, means 33 for mounting a supply reel 34 in the housing` 2S for carrying the sound film S, and means 35 for guiding the nlm S from the reel 34 to the control sprocket I9.

The plate 28 is intended to be mounted in the front of the head case I2 to replace the regular front plate forming part of the standard equipment. It will be apparent how the plate 2t may be constructed for ready assembling or mounting on the case I2. The plate 28 may be provided with means for carrying the lens tube of the projector and any other devices that may be mounted on the front plate forming a part of the usual 341 and the guide means 32. In accordance withgr' the broader aspects of the invention, the lious"- ing 29 may be varied considerably in construction and shape. The particular housing illustrated in the drawings includes an inner portion 36 rectangular in its general configuration and an outer portion 31 of circular shape for carrying the reels 3| and 34. The opposite sides of the housing 29 may be vertical and parallel and one side 38 may be rigid or integral with the edge or peripheral part 39a. In -accordance with the preferred construction, the other' side 39 of the housing is in the nature of a closure or door, and is adapted to be swung to an open position so that the interior of the housing is readily accessible. In the particular case illustrated in the drawings, the door side 39 of the housing is hinged at 49 to the peripheral part 39a and is normallyretained in the closed position by suitable latch 4I on the front plate 28. The housing 29 may be secured to thefront plate 28 by angle irons 42 or other suitable means.

The means 30 for mounting and operating the picture film receiving reel 3| is provided to mount the reel 3| within the housing 29 and to continuously rotate it so as to take up the lm after it leaves the control sprocket i9. The reel 3| may be a common or typical lm reel having spaced perforated sides 43 projecting from a tubular hub 44. The means 39 includes a shaft 45 extending through a central boss or bearing 46 on the rigid side 38 of the housing. The shaft 45`is mounted in the bearing 46 through a free bushing 41 and projects into the housing and through the tubular hub 44 of the reel. Suitable means 49 may be provided on the inner end of the shaft 45 for releasably retaining the reel 3| on the shaft. The various parts of the attachment are related vand proportioned so that the diametric axis of the reel 3| is offset from the diametric axis of the control sprocket I9, or, more properly, is offset horizontally from the vertical plane coincident with the diametric axis of the control sprocket I9.

The means for operating or rotating the receivin g reel 3| may be similar to the reel operating means commonly employed in the art. A pulley 50 is rotatably mounted on the bushing 41 and is operatively connected with the shaft 45 through a suitable slip clutch connection 5I that permits the reel 3| to drag when the reeled film P becomes of large diameter. Thepulley 50 is adapted to -be rotated by the operating mechanismof the projector head I0fso as to provide for the proper speed of rotation of the reel 3I. In practice, a belt 52 may pass' over `the pulley 50 and a pulley 53, driven by the operating mechanism in the projector head I0. f

The 'means 32 for guiding the picture lm P from the sprocket I9 to the reel 3| includes a pair of guide rollers 54 mounted at the inner side of the front plate 28. The picture lm P passes upwardly and outwardly from'the continl-uously rotating sprocket I9 and passes outwardly from between the -guide rolls 54. An opening 55 is provided in the front plate 28 to pass the picture film P downwardly and forwardly into vthe inner portion 36'of the housing. The invention provides a novel and improved means for offsetting the direction of travel of the .picture lfilm P from the vertical plane 0f the sprocket I9 to the central reel 3|.

The means for offsetting the picture lm P as it passes from the lsprocket I9 to the reel 3| includes two spaced sprockets 56 and 51 mounted within the inner part 36 of the housing. The

vertical plane of the receiving two sprockets 56 and 51 are xed on a common or single shaft 58 rotatably carried by a suitable bracket 59 in the housing 29. The shaft 58 is rotatable about a horizontal axis, and the sprockets 56 and 51 are spaced apart horizontally and are in direct horizontal alignment. The sprocket 56 has a central diametric axis in the same vertical plane as the diametric or active axis of the control sprocket i9, while the sprocket 51 has a central diametric axis in the same vertical plane as that-,of the reel 3|. In accordance with the standard practice, the sprockets 56 and are provided at their peripheries with spaced teeth for co-operating with the perforations of the lrn. The sprockets 56 and 51 are fixed on the shaft 58 so as to operate or rotate in unison. The lm P carrying the picture records passes downwardly under the sprocket 56 and then upwardly from the sprocket 56. Spaced pairs of rollers 66 are provided to ensure the proper co-operation of the film with the toothed sprocket 56. The lm passes upwardly from the sprocket 56, then rearwardly, and then downwardly, so that a comparatively large loop L is formed. The loop L is bent or distorted laterally and has its inner end in co-operation with the sprocket 51. The film passes under the sprocket 51 and is retained in proper engagement with the sprocket by spaced rollers 6 I. The loop L of lm is bent or distorted laterally and has its opposite ends engaged by the spaced sprockets 56 and 51 so that the film passing forwardly from the sprocket 51 is offset horizontally from the film passing to the sprocket 56. The lm passing forwardly from the sprocket '51 has its central longitudinal axis in the same Vertical plane as the active or diametric axis of the receiving reel 3|. In practice, it is preferred to thread the lm P so` that the loop L is comparatively large to eliminate any danger of the lm becoming strained or permanently distorted. Spaced guide rollers 62 are provided to guide the lm P through an opening 63 in ther periphery 39a of the circular part of the housing. The lrn P passes through the opening 63 onto the receiving reel 3|. During operation the rotation of the reel 3| maintains that part of the film P between the'sprocket I9 and the reel 3|, with the exception of the loop L, taut. As the two sprockets 56 and 51 are mounted on a common shaft to rotate in unison, the loop L is always maintained. It will beapparent how the horizontally spaced toothed sprockets 56 and 51* offset the film P so that it effectively passes from the const'intly rotating sprocket' I9 to the receiving reel 3.'.

The means 33 is provided to rotatably mount the feed or supply reel 34 within the housing 29. The reel 34 carries the film S bearing the sound records or track T and may be a common or typical iilm reel having a tubular hub 64 and spaced radial sides 65. tion, the reel 34 is mounted within 4the circular portion 31 of the housing to have its diametric axis in the same vertical plane as that of the sprocket I9. The means 33 for rotatably mounting the reel 34 in the housing include'sa circular partition 66 arranged in the housing 29 between the reels 3| and 34. The partition 66 is removable and its inward movement in the housing is limited by stops 61. A central trunnion shaft 68 may be'carried by a suitable boss 69 4mounted on the partition 66, and the end of the reel 34l is adapted to bear against the boss 69. Means is provided'on the hinged side or door 39 of the In accordance with the inven sov housing for supporting the outer end of the trunnion 68. A pin 10 is screw-threaded through an opening in a plate 1I to project into the housing. 'I'he inner end of the pin 10 is pointed and is adapted to t into a socket 12 in the end of the trunnion shaft 68. A nut 13 may be threaded on the pin 18 to lock it in the proper position.

Means is provided for yieldingly resisting rotation'of the reel 34 to provide for the proper unwinding of the film S. A ring I4 is mounted on -the outer end of "the reel 34. The ring 14 carries leaf springs 16 adapted to pressurally bear against the end plate -1| to normally hold the end of the reel inv pressural and frictional engagement with the boss 59.

The means 35 for guiding the lm S from the reel 34 to the sprocket I9 includes a guide roller 80 rotatably mounted adjacent an opening 8| in the periphery of the circular housing part 39B. The lm S passes forwardly under the roller 80 through an opening 82 in the front plate 28. Spaced guide rollers 83 are mounted on the inner side of the plate 28 to guide the film S as it passes upwardly and rearwardly into engagement with the continuously rotating sprocket I9. The lm S bearing the sound record or track T is passed between the rollers 2| and the sprocket I9 and is fed downwardly into the base I I'for movement through the gate 22.

It is believed that the practicability and operation of the device provided by the present invention will be readily-apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It is believed apparent how the theatre sound film bearing both the picture records and the sound records is handled or passed through the projector head I and the sound reproducing base II in the usual manner. If it is desired to run individual picture film P and sound iilm S through the apparatus, the picture lm R is threaded in the manner illustrated in Fig. 'ofthe drawings. As the closure -side 39 of the housing maybe openedand the reel 34 and partition 66 removed, the reel 3|.may

be readily mounted in the housing for operation.

4The picture fllm P is threaded over the continuously rotating sprocket I9 and under the spaced sprockets 56 and 51. A loop L is provided above the sprockets 5B and 51, as described above, and film S is then threaded between the roller 62 and passed on to the reel 3|. The lm S bearing thel sound track T is threaded between the guide rollrs 83 and under the sprocket I8. After being hreaded between the rollers 2| and the sprocket I9, the lm S is arranged through the base II in the usual manner and threaded through the chute 23 so as to be received by the reel 2l. .During operation; the constant or continuously rotatin'g sprocket I9 operates to provide for ,the synchronous movement of the two lms P and S. It is to be understood` that the sprocket I9 is rotated in a deiinite manner with respect to the intermittent operation of the sprocket I1. It is to be noted that the present invention provides an attachment for converting the usual projector and sound reproducer set to handle separate film strips P and S bearing the picture records and sound records. The attachment is simple and inexpensive of manufacture and is easily applied to the usual equipment. The attachment does not in .any manner interfere with or complicate the standard equipment for handling the sound or theatre nlm and is such that the vindividual film strips P and S may be easily and quickly of the invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the specic details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself all changes and variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a sound picture apparatus arranged to drive a film with sound and picture thereon past sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said sound picture apparatus being mounted in an encasement and having a lm moving'sprocket, an attachment for converting said sound picture apparatus for driving separate sound and picture films respectively past said sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said attachment comprising a housing removably attached to said encasement, said housing having therein two additional reels for handling said separate films and means for guiding said lms between said sound picture apparatus and the reels of said attachment.

2. An attachment for apparatus comprisinga projector having a case and a sound reproducing mechanism, which attachment includes a plate removably attached to the case to form the front of the projector case,-a housing carried by the plate, means for mounting a reel in the housing to receive a iilm after its Ipassage through the projector, means in the housing for guiding the said iilmfrom the projector case to the reel, means for mounting a reel in the housing to supply lm to -the sound reproducing mechanism, and means carried by the plate for guiding the last mentioned lm through the housing into the projector case.

3. An attachment for a projector and sound Y reproducing apparatus having a case and a control film sprocket in the case,which attachment includes, a mounting plate to be attached to the case, a housing on the plate, means for mounting a reel in the housing to have a diametric axis in the same plane'as that of the sprocket, means carried by the plate for guiding a lm from said reel to the sprocket, means for mounting a reel in the ,housing to rotate in a plane spaced from and parallel with said plane, and means in the housing for guiding film from the sprocket to the last-mentioned reel. 4. An attachment for a projector and sound reproducing iiln apparatus having a case and a control iilm sprocketin the Iease, which attachment includes, a mounting plate to be attached to the case, a housing on the plate, means for mounting a. reel in the housing to have a diametric axis in the same plane as that of the sprocket, means for guiding a film from said reel to the sprocket, means for mounting a reel at one side of the rst-mentioned reel to have its diametric axis parallelwith that of the first mentioned reel, and means inthe housing for guiding lm from the sprocket to the last-mentioned reel, including two spaced sprockets rotatable in unison, one of said sprockets being in alignment with the control sprocket, the other being in alignment with the second-mentioned reel. o

5. An attachment for .a picture projecting and sound reproducing film apparatus having a case with a removable front plate and a control film sprocket in the case, which attachment includes, a

mounting plate adapted to replace the front ing plate, means for mounting a reel in the housing to have a diametric axis in the saine plane as that of the sprocket, means carried by the mounting plate for guiding a lm from said reel usy to the sprocket, means for mounting a reel at one side of thefirst-mentioned reel, and means in the housing for guiding film from the sprocket to the last-mentioned reel.

6. An attachment for a picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus having a case and a control film sprocket, which attachment includes, a mounting plate to be attached to the case, a housing on the plate, means for mounting two reels in the housing to rotate in spaced parallel planes, one of the reels having a diametric axis in the same plane as that of the sprocket, means carried by the plate for guiding a film from said reel to the sprocket, and means in the housing for guiding lm from the sprocket to the other reel, including two sprockets rotatable in unison in spaced parallel planes, one of said sprockets being in alignmentwith the control sprocket, the other being in alignment with the said other reel, and means for holding the film in co-operation with the two spaced sprockets whereby a laterally distorted loop may be maintained in the portion of film passing between the l spaced sprockets.

'7. An attachment for a picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus having a case and a control film sprocket, which attachment includes, a mounting plate to be attached to the case, a housing on the plate, means for mounting two reels in the housing to rotate in spaced parallel planes, one of the reels having a diametric axis in the same plane as that ofthe sprocket, means carried by the plate for guiding a film from said reel to the sprocket, and means for guiding film from the sprocket to the other reel including, a shaft having an axis of rotation parallel with the axis of rotation of the control' sprocket, two sprockets fixed on the shaft, one of said sprockets having a diametric axis in alignment with that of the control sprocket, the other sprocket being in diametric alignment with the last-mentioned reel and rollers holding the film in engagement with the sprockets to maintain a horizontally distorted loop in the film passing between the sprockets.

8. An attachment for a picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus having a case and control film sprocket rotatable about a horizontal axis, which attachment includes, a housing ada-pted to be mounted on the front of the case, means for rotatably mounting a lm receiving reel in the housing, means for mounting a lm supply reel in the housing, the reels being rotatable about horizontal axes, one reel beingin the same vertical plane as the sprocket, and the other being offset horizontally from the' vertical plane of the sprocket, means for guiding film from the supply reel to the sprocket, and means for guiding lm between the sprocket and the receiving reel.

9. An attachment fora picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus having a case and a control 'film sprocket in the case rotatable about a horizontal axis, which attachment includes, a housing adapted to be mountedon the case, means for rotatably mounting a film receiving reel in the housing, means for mounting a film supply reel in the housing, the reels being rotatable about horizontal axes, one reel being in the same vertical plane as the sprocket, and the other being offset horizontally from the vertical plane of the sprocket, means for guiding film from the supply reel to the sprocket, and means for guiding film between the sprocket and the receiving reel including horizontally spaced 111m sprockets in the housing rotatable in unison.

1G. An attachment for a picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus having a case and a control film sprocket in the case rotatable about a horizontal axis, which attachment includes, a housing adapted to be mounted on the case, means for rotatably mounting a receiving film reel in the housing, means for mounting a film supply reel in the housing, the said means being such that the reels being rotatable about horizontal axes, one reel being in the same Vertical plane as the sprocket, and the other being offset horizontally from the vertical plane of the sprocket, means carried by the housing for guiding film from the supply reel to the sprocket, and means in the housing for guiding film between the sprocket and the receiving reel including, a shaft mounted in the housing for rotation about a horizontal axis, and spaced lm sprockets on the shaft.

ll. An attachment for a picture projecting and sound reproducing apparatus having a case and a control film sprocket in the case rotatable about a horizontal axis, which attachment includes, a housing adapted to be mounted on the case, means for rotatably mounting a receiving film reel in the housing, means for mounting a film supply reel in the housing, the said means being such that the reels being rotatable about horizontal axes, one reel being in the same vertical plane as the sprocket, and the other being offset horizontally from the vertical plane of the sprocket, means carried by the housing for guiding film from the supply reel to the sprocket, means for guiding film from the sprocket to the receiving reel, in-

. cluding sprocket means in the housing distorting sprocket, and the other being offset horizontally from the vertical plane of the sprocket, means carried by the housing for guiding film from the supply reel to the sprocket, means for guiding film between the sprocket and the receiving reel including horizontally spaced sprockets in the housing, and spaced rollers at each sprocket holding a horizontally distorted loop in the lm passing between the sprockets, and means for yieldingly resisting rotation of the supply reel.

13. In combination, a sound picture apparatus, including, a projector including a continuously rotating film sprocket, and a sound reproducing mechanism below the sprocket, and a film handling device including means for mounting two reels for rotation independently of one another, means guiding picture film passing from the projector so as to actively engage one side of the sprocket and be driven thereby in one direction onto one of the reels, means for guiding sound film from the other reel to actively engage the other side of the sprocket and be driven thereby in' the opposite direction from the picture film and toward the sound reproducing mechanism,

and means for rotating the reel receiving the piccomprising a sound reproducing mechanism and a picture projecting head above said mechanism and having a case and -a continuously rotating film control sprocket in the case which attachment includes a housing removably attached to said case having mounted therein,- two rotatable iilm reels, means for guiding picture lm onto one of the reels after it has passed over the sprocket, and means for guiding sound lm from the other reel into the case to come into engagement with the sprocket.

15. An attachment for sound picture apparatus comprising a sound reproducing mechanism and a picture projecting head above said mechanism and having a case and a continuously rotating iilm control sprocket in the case which attachment includes a plate adapted to be removably' attached to the front of said case, a housing on the front of the plate for rotatably mounting two lm reels for'independent rotation, means incorporated in the housing and plate for guiding picture film from the sprocket to one of said reels, and means for guiding sound film from the other reel into-the case to be engaged by the sprocket.

16. An attachment for sound picture apparatus comprising a sound reproducing mechanism and a picture projecting head above said mechanism and having a case land a continuously rotating 'film control sprocket in the case which attachment includes a plate adapted to be removably attached to the front of said case, a housing on the front of the plate for rotatably mounting two lm reels for independent rotation, means incorporated in the housing and plate for guiding picture film from the sprocket to one of said reels, anda means for guidingsound film from the other reel into the case to be engaged by the sprocket, the last mentioned means including a roller mounted on the plate for guiding the sound iili through an opening in the plate.

17. ,In combination, a sound picture apparatus arranged to drive a lm with sound and picture thereon past sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said sound picture apparatus being mounted in an encasement and having a film moving sprocket, an attachment for converting said sound picture apparatus for driving separate sound and picture iilms respectively past said sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said attachment comprising a housing removably attached tov said encasement, said 'housing having therein two additional reels for handling said separate films and means for guiding said lms over separate vpaths between said sound picture apparatus and the reels of said l attachment.

ing said films over separate paths on said sprocket leading from said sound translator and picture lenses respectively to separate paths leading to said reels.

19. In combination, a soundpicture apparatus arranged to drive a lm withsound and picture thereon, sound translating means and picture lenses, said sound picture apparatus being mounted in an encasement and having a film moving sprocket, an attachment for converting said sound picture apparatus for driving separate sound and means to form a loop in one lm to move it lat-y erally into alignment with said off set reel.

20. In combination, a sound picture apparatus arranged to drive a film with sound and Apicture thereon past sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said sound picture apparatus being mounted in an encasement and having a lm moving sprocket, an attachment for converting said sound picture' apparatus for driving separate sound and picture films respectively past said sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said attachment comprising a housing removably attached to said encasement, said housing having therein two additional reels, one being mounted in alignment with said sprocket and the other being off set, means for guiding said films over separate paths between said sound picture apparatus and the reels of said attachment including two rollers with their axes in line laterally for guiding one lm laterally into aignment with said off set reel.

21. In combination, a sound picture 'apparatus arranged to drive a film with sound and picture thereon past sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said sound picture apparatus being mounted in an encasement and having a lm moving sprocket, an attachment forconverting said sound picture apparatus for driving separate sound and picture iilmsy respectively past said sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said attachment comprising a housing removably attached to said encasement, ksaid housing having therein two additional reels, one being mounted in -alignment with'said sprocket and the other being o set, means for guiding said lms over separate paths between said sound picture apparatus and the reels of said attachment including two sprockets with their axes in line laterally for guiding one film laterally into alignment with said offset reel.

22. In combination, a soundpicture apparatus arranged to drive a lm ,with sound and picture thereon past sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said sound picture apparatus being mounted 'in an encasement and having a nlm moving sprocket, an attachment for converting said sound picture apparatus for driving separate sound and picture films respectively past said sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said attachment comprising a housing removably attached to said encasement, said housing having therein a take-up reel and a delivery reel, guiding means for receiving one of said nimsfrom said sprocket and^gu1ding it onto said take-up reel-and guiding means for receiving'the other lm from said delivery reel and guiding it to said sprocket.

23. In combination, a sound picture apparatus arranged to drive a nlm with sound and picture thereon past sound translating mechanism and picture lenses, said sound picture apparatus being mounted in an encasement and having a continuous motion lm driving sprocket with film retaining rollers diametric'ally opposite, an attachment for converting said sound picture apparatus for driving separate sound and picture 10` reel and a delivery reel and means to operate said reels and said picture apparatus in synchronism to drive one film through the agency of said sprocket and one set of rollers in one direction to said take-up reel and to drive the other lm through the agency of said sprocket and the diametrically opposite rollers in the opposite direction, from said delivery reel to the sound picture apparatus. 

